Pro Football RumorsAustin Howard – Pro Football Rumorshttps://www.profootballrumors.com
NFL Rumors: Trades, Free Agency, DraftThu, 21 Mar 2019 17:47:47 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.9East Notes: Beckham, Foster, Redskins, Jetshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/12/east-notes-beckham-giants-foster-redskins-o-line-jets-lee
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/12/east-notes-beckham-giants-foster-redskins-o-line-jets-lee#commentsSat, 08 Dec 2018 20:31:19 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=126417The Giants‘ opponent Sunday will be dealing with a greater volume of injury replacements, but the Big Apple’s NFC team will be missing its biggest star. Odell Beckham Jr. will not play in Week 14. The Giants ruled out Beckham for their Redskins rematch because of a bruised quadriceps. Although Beckham practiced this week on a limited basis, the Giants are sitting him for the first time this season. New York’s 4-8 record may well be contributing to the decision. This season has not gone well for Big Blue, but Beckham has enjoyed a productive slate after an ankle injury wiped out most of his 2017 season. He has five 100-plus-yard performances and exited Week 13 with 1,052 receiving yards, six receiving scores and two touchdown passes.

Here’s the latest from the Eastern divisions:

In addition to three 2018 arrests, Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster was briefly detained by Santa Clara, Calif., police this year, A.J. Perez of USA Today reports (on Twitter). In October, police were dispatched to Foster’s place of residence following a 911 call. A neighbor indicated he heard a “loud disturbance” from Foster’s residence. The woman whose domestic-abuse accusations led to two of Foster’s arrests this year, Elissa Ennis, was with the embattled defender at the time of the detainment, per the police report. Ennis told police Foster was her boyfriend and “nothing happened.” Ennis this week expressed shock the Redskins claimed Foster, whom Tampa police arrested last month for alleged domestic violence.

Darron Lee has not made the Jets‘ 2016 first-round investment look too good, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com does not expect the team to pick up the inside linebacker’s fifth-year option (Twitter link). It would cost the Jets around $10MM to keep Lee under contract through the 2020 season, and Cimini believes it would be an ill-advised decision for Gang Green to exercise the now-suspended linebacker’s option. Lee’s played better this season but has been inconsistent throughout his career.

Washington may be planning to go with tackles Austin Howard and Ty Nsekhe at guard against the Giants, per Ben Standig of NBC Sports Washington. Jay Gruden has this option at his incredibly depleted guard spot, or the fifth-year Redskins coach could deploy Luke Bowanko or Zac Kerin. Gruden indicated he may use a rotation. The NFC East leaders for most of this season, the Redskins lost Jonathan Cooper — also an in-season replacement — for the year and will be without Tony Bergstrom. Howard, Bowanko and Kerin were in-season pickups for a Redskins team that now has five offensive linemen on IR. Washington is 6-6 and on the verge of seeing this injury-plagued season veer off the playoff course.

]]>4Redskins To Sign OT Austin Howardhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/11/redskins-to-sign-ot-austin-howard
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/11/redskins-to-sign-ot-austin-howard#respondMon, 05 Nov 2018 21:37:57 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=123499Redskins have agreed to sign veteran tackle Austin Howard, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Howard will help replenish an offensive line that has been rocked by injuries.

Howard has bounced around lately but has given multiple teams quality right tackle work in recent years. After playing well in spots for the Raiders from 2014-16, Howard caught on with the Ravens and gave them 16 starts at right tackle. However, the 31-year-old blocker could not commandeer the Colts’ right-side job and was released before the regular season.

Howard already banked $1.3MM this year thanks to the guarantee in his Colts deal, and he’ll have an opportunity to make some more scratch with the Redskins. He’ll also have a chance to be a hero for the Redskins, who are fighting to keep their lead in the NFC East despite their rash of injuries.

]]>1Texans Work Out Austin Howard, Chris Clarkhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/09/texans-work-out-austin-howard-chris-clark
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/09/texans-work-out-austin-howard-chris-clark#respondTue, 11 Sep 2018 19:15:23 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=118413One of the Texans’ three offseason additions to their starting offensive line did not last through Week 1, and the team is auditioning Seantrel Henderson replacement options. This includes one familiar name in Houston.

An eight-year veteran, Clark spent the past three seasons with the Texans. He started 26 games, becoming an essential depth piece after injuries to Duane Brown and Derek Newton thrust him into the starting lineup. The Texans placed Henderson on IR on Monday because of an ankle injury.

Howard has bounced around lately but has given multiple teams quality right tackle work in recent years. After playing well in spots for the Raiders from 2014-16, Howard caught on with the Ravens and gave them 16 starts at right tackle. However, the 31-year-old blocker could not commandeer the Colts’ right-side job and was released before the regular season.

A former UDFA, Lucas has served as mostly a backup in his four-season NFL run — spent with the Lions and Rams.

Last year, Bond ascended to the starting center job when Ryan Kelly broke his foot late in training camp. Unfortunately, a torn quad landed him on IR in October. This year, he’ll be looking for work elsewhere.

Alie-Cox was a former basketball player looking to transition to tight end. Although Antonio Gates and others have successfully made the jump, Alie-Cox has yet to find similar success.

In addition to the aforementioned moves, the Colts also waived the following players with an injury designation. If they clear waivers, then they revert to the Colts’ Injured Reserve list:

Trade candidates are often simply players who will be released if no offer is made, and Howard is a clear case of that principle. The Colts already invested $1.3MM guaranteed in Howard, but he’s not a lock to open as Indianapolis’ starting right tackle or even make the club’s 53-man roster. A veteran of 92 NFL games, Howard wasn’t medically cleared until late July and has struggled in camp and during the preseason.

Warmack, too, looks like a candidate for release, as he hasn’t been included on numerous Eagles roster projections. Philadelphia extended Warmack last September, adding an extra year (2018) to his contract while guaranteeing $500K of his $1MM base salary. A trade would be especially beneficial to the Eagles, then, as an acquiring team would take on that base salary guarantee. Philadelphia could use the cap space, as it ranks a bottom-five team in financial reserves.

Both Grasu and Ware are also on the roster bubble with their respective teams. Neither offers much experience: Grasu, a third-round pick in 2015, has been beset by injuries and appeared in just 14 games, while Ware, a 2017 seventh-rounder, has just one contest under his belt.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>0Colts To Sign OT Austin Howardhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/05/colts-sign-austin-howard
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/05/colts-sign-austin-howard#commentsWed, 09 May 2018 17:12:55 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=107088The Colts are signing free agent offensive tackle Austin Howard, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Indianapolis is in desperate need for protection up front and the hope is that Howard will help to secure the pocket for quarterback Andrew Luck.

It’s a one-year deal with a base value of $3.75MM, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Howard can also earn another $500K via incentives, which isn’t a bad haul for a free agent signing in May.

Howard’s option for 2018 was surprisingly declined by the Ravens in March. After joining the Ravens on a three-year, $16.5MM free agent contract last year, Howard responded with a solid year and graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 36 offensive tackle. Overall, Baltimore’s offensive line was extremely effective, grading as top-five unit in Football Outsiders’ adjusted line yards, and adjusted sack rate, but they opted to go in a different direction at tackle and save $3MM in the process.

Howard, who has also spent time with the Eagles, Jets, and Raiders, will now suit up for his fifth NFL team. He’s the third offensive line newcomer of note in Indianpolis, joining first round left guard Quenton Nelson and second round right guard Braden Smith. All three seem likely to start as Howard projects to slot ahead of incumbent right tackle Denzelle Good.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>2Colts Host Austin Howard On Visithttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/04/colts-host-austin-howard-on-visit
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/04/colts-host-austin-howard-on-visit#respondMon, 09 Apr 2018 20:47:25 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=103243Austin Howard has been a starting right tackle for most of his NFL career, and he’s looking for a fourth employer. More interest is coming the free agent’s way.

The Colts visited with Howard, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter link). This marks Howard’s second visit since the Ravens declined his option last month. The Saints also met with the 31-year-old blocker, doing so last week.

While Anthony Castonzo has manned the left side for most of this decade, Indianapolis has not had much continuity at right tackle in recent years. The Colts re-signed Jack Mewhort to stay at one guard position and added Matt Slauson to likely start opposite him. However, the team still has uncertainty at right tackle.

Howard started at right tackle for the Raiders from 2015-16, doing so after a failed experiment at guard in 2014, and was the Ravens’ first-stringer there last season. Pro Football Focus graded Howard well, despite the veteran having been a Raiders cut because of injury concerns. Howard finished last season as PFF’s No. 36 tackle with a grade well north of anyone the Colts tried there.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>0Saints Host OT Austin Howard On Visithttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/04/saints-host-austin-howard-visit
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/04/saints-host-austin-howard-visit#respondFri, 06 Apr 2018 21:02:01 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=103024The Saints hosted right tackle Austin Howard for a free agent visit on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Howard has been on the block ever since the Ravens elected not to pick up his option for 2018.

Howard joined the Ravens on a three-year, $16.5MM free agent deal in March of 2017 after spending the previous three seasons with the Raiders. He’s not a superstar, but he did start in every game for the Ravens at right tackle in 2017. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 36 offensive tackle last season, which puts him squarely in the category of a starting caliber outside lineman.

At a time when most teams are scrambling for answers at tackle, the Saints are pretty well set on both sides with left tackle Terron Armstead and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk in the starting lineup. The Saints lost Zach Strief to retirement and saw Senio Kelemete sign with the Texans, but Jermon Bushrod was re-signed for depth. Despite his starting experience, Howard would serve as the top backup and Ramcyzk in New Orleans.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>0Ravens To Decline Austin Howard’s Optionhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/03/ravens-to-decline-austin-howards-option
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/03/ravens-to-decline-austin-howards-option#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 13:52:21 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=97924The Ravens are not picking up the option for right tackle Austin Howard, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Howard is not a world-beater, but as Rapoport notes, he is entering a very thin right tackle market and he started all 16 game last year.

Howard joined the Ravens on a three-year, $16.5MM free agent deal last year. Baltimore, who is right up against the salary cap, will now create $3MM in savings by parting ways with Howard. The club has opened up nearly $5MM by getting rid of Howard and running back Danny Woodhead today.

Howard, who has also spent time with the Eagles, Jets, and Raiders, graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 36 offensive tackle during his first season with the Ravens. Overall, Baltimore’s offensive line was extremely effective, grading as top-five unit in Football Outsiders’ adjusted line yards and adjusted sack rate.

Because his option was declined (and he wasn’t actually released), Howard will still count towards the 2019 compensatory pick formula.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>0AFC Notes: Brady, Maclin, Bowman, Jetshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/01/afc-notes-brady-maclin-bowman-jets
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/01/afc-notes-brady-maclin-bowman-jets#commentsSat, 20 Jan 2018 01:53:18 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=91919Tom Brady suffered a “painful” thumb injury during a practice that took place at the beginning of the week, reports Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston. According to Curran, the 40-year-old quarterback cut his thumb badly when a running back smashed it while the team was running a play at practice. However, Curran notes that Brady can throw, but doesn’t know exactly just how much it will affect the Patriots gameplan this Sunday.

As always, Curran notes that the team is not letting much information out to the press or public at this time. It’s highly unlikely that Brady will not play in the AFC Championship game, but it is a story that people should keep track of as the game time approaches over the weekend. Perhaps the biggest development that Curran has to offer is that Brady is “not taking snaps from under center”.

The team has listed Brady as questionable on the most recent injury report, but the impact of the injury could have a major effect on BillBelichick‘s gameplan even though nobody expects the five-time Super Bowl winner to miss such a big game.

While the addition of NaVorro Bowman could not stop the bleeding of a disappointing 2017 Raiders season, that doesn’t necessarily mean that new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther doesn’t want the veteran linebacker back in the fold in 2018, reports Scott Bair of NBC Sports. “NaVorro is a prototype middle linebacker, really,” said Guenther. “The thing that impressed me most with NaVorro is that they got him here midseason and by the end of the year, it appeared to me that he was kind of the leader of the unit, making a lot of calls. You can see that on tape. It looks like he is a smart guy that understands the game. I love smart guys that love playing football. Hopefully we can get him back in the fold and keep him a Raider.”

Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson was arrested on a number of charges earlier this morning. Connor Hughes of NJ.com has more details about what occurred to bring this type of discipline. According to a police report that NJ.com obtained, Hughes reports that Anderson”rapidly accelerated” past cops at 105 mph after he saw them on the side of the road. As the cops followed behind Anderson, the report states that Anderson was “all over the road”, and seemingly “failed to maintain a single lane on numerous occasions.” Anderson did eventually stop the car and was arrested, but not until make a number of threats to the police officer’s wife. These details spell more bad news for Anderson who already was arrested back in May while he was at a festival in Miami. The wideout may face discipline from the NFL, but the league still must do their due diligence investigating the incidents until any punishments will be handed down to the 24-year-old.

]]>12AFC Notes: Bolts, Ravens, Jets, Steelershttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/08/afc-notes-bolts-ravens-jets-steelers-chiefs
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/08/afc-notes-bolts-ravens-jets-steelers-chiefs#respondWed, 09 Aug 2017 02:04:25 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=74097Chargers first-round wide receiver Mike Williams, who has been dealing with a back injury since May, is “running” and “doing well,” head coach Anthony Lynn told reporters, including Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. Lynn suggested last week that Williams might not play at all this year, which came after the Chargers announced that the ex-Clemson star will miss all of training camp. However, they continue to hold out hope he’ll be healthy in time for the regular season, writes Eric Williams.

Newly signed Ravens offensive tackle Austin Howard hasn’t practiced with the team since inking a three-year, $16.5MM deal last Friday, and it’s unclear why, per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Howard underwent offseason shoulder surgery, so his recovery from that procedure could be at the root of the delay, notes Zrebiec. For his part, head coach John Harbaugh is content to leave Howard’s fate “in the trainer’s hands.”

Free agent long snapper Andrew DePaola visited the Jets on Tuesday, tweets ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini, who relays that incumbent Tanner Purdum hasn’t looked great in camp. Purdum has been the Jets’ long snapper since 2010, so even though his position isn’t glamorous, it would be notable for the club to make a change there. DePaola was the Buccaneers’ long snapper for the previous three seasons. They non-tendered him in March.

Center Mike Matthews, whom the Steelerswaived Tuesday, will miss four to six months with a torn patellar tendon, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Matthews, the son of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, will go on injured reserve if another team doesn’t claim him via waivers.

With Cairo Santos set to miss a week-plus with a groin injury, the Chiefs worked out free agent kickers John Lunsford and Conrad Ukropina on Tuesday, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). It doesn’t appear the Chiefs will sign either, though, given that they added fellow kicker Sam Ficken after auditioning Lunsford and Ukropina.

It’s a three-year deal worth$16MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (onTwitter) hears. The deal includes team options after each year with $5.5MM coming to him in the first season. At the end, Howard was down to the Ravens and Texans after also visiting Houston.

The deal marks something of a homecoming for Howard, who once was a part of the Ravens’ practice squad. He can expected to compete with James Hurst for the starting right tackle job. If he falls short, he can be used as a swingman off of the bench to bolster the depth on both the interior and exterior of the line. Then again, with a contract like this, the Ravens are probably anticipating that he’ll be with the first unit.

Howard was slowed by an ankle injury in 2016 and is coming off of a down year in terms of performance. Still, he offers far more experience than Hurst and could be a decent starter if he’s healthy. Hurst has just 16 career starts versus Howard’s 72 starts in 76 career appearances.

Overall, this hasn’t been a great offseason for the Ravens’ offensive line. The team lost right tackle Ricky Wagner to free agency, center John Urschel to retirement, and guard Nico Siragusa to a season-ending knee injury. Baltimore hopes that the addition of Howard will help offset its major losses.

Given the attrition they’ve faced up front since the end of last season, the Ravens are known to be on the lookout for offensive line help. It’s no surprise, then, that they’re pursuing Howard, one of the most accomplished blockers available. He’d somewhat help cover for the departure of right tackle Ricky Wagner, who signed a mega-deal with the Lions in free agency. Baltimore’s O-line also lost center John Urschel to retirement earlier this summer, and interior rookie Nico Siragusa suffered a season-ending knee injury this week.

For the moment, the Ravens are counting on right tackle James Hurst – he of 16 career starts – to line up opposite No. 1 left tackle Ronnie Stanley. The 30-year-old Howard brings far more experience, having notched 72 starts in 76 appearances over six seasons spread among the Eagles, Jets and Raiders.

Howard battled an ankle injury during an 11-game campaign last year in Oakland, where he started 10 times and ranked a below-average 52nd in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 77 qualified tackles. The Raiders released Howard last week, which came with two seasons remaining on the five-year, $30MM deal he signed with them in 2014.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>0Ravens Interested In Austin Howardhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/07/ravens-interested-in-austin-howard
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/07/ravens-interested-in-austin-howard#respondSat, 29 Jul 2017 02:04:35 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=72976Offensive tackle Austin Howardlost his job with the Raiders on Friday, but he might not be without a team for long. The Ravens are considering adding Howard, according to Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).

The 30-year-old Howard would provide an experienced right tackle option to a Baltimore team that lost former No. 1 Ricky Wagner in free agency. After Wagner started 47 games for the Ravens from 2014-16, he inked a five-year deal worth more than $45MM with the Lions.

The Ravens didn’t pick up an established tackle or a spend a draft pick on a bookend in the wake of Wagner’s departure, leaving them with James Hurst as the starter opposite LT Ronnie Stanley. Hurst did appear in all 48 of the Ravens’ games over his first three years, but he only started 16 of those contests. Just three of Hurst’s starts came last year, and his performance drew an unenthusiastic review from Pro Football Focus.

Howard didn’t garner praise from PFF in 2016, either, as he ranked 52nd among its 77 qualified tackles. However, an ankle injury may have contributed to his less-than-stellar showing over 11 games, and he did rack up 10 starts for the fifth consecutive year. In all, Howard has started in 72 in 76 appearances across six years with the Eagles, Jets and Raiders. Howard signed a five-year, $30MM contract to head to Oakland in 2014, but his next deal certainly won’t come anywhere close to that – especially considering he’s recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.